Jewish family feels targeted by hate after swastikas spray painted near their KC home

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Jewish family living in the metro feels targeted after someone spray-painted a swastika and a racist remark on the sidewalk near their home. The vandalism mars the entrance to a public park adjacent to their house called Scott Park, located near Scott Road and East 100th Terrace in Kansas City, Mo.

The words “white power” outline a swastika and sit near several other random drawings.

Jesse called the graffiti a “hateful response” to the menorah that sits in their front window facing the street. He believes this is a hate crime meant to intimidate and harass them.

“It makes me feel like people in this community hate Jewish people for no reason at all, you know?” he said, “because they’re Jewish? To me, that makes no sense and it’s unacceptable.”

Police are now investigating.

The official crime report shows the family asked the investigating officer how to get the swastika removed. His response: buy a can of yellow spray paint and draw a smiley face on anything they find offensive.

“I’m a little frustrated because I believe that the police would get more involved,” Jesse said, “and it seems like they really haven’t done much at all.”

The crime report also shows that same officer asked the family if they might consider moving their menorah out of sight; but Jesse says they shouldn't have to do that.

“That is not acceptable in America at all,” he said, “because this is a free country.”

Jesse said he contacted the city to request crews come out and remove the graffiti. He hopes police find the person responsible, and said he would like an apology.